ABOUT POLITICS

Shan ready to talk peace

On Feb 7, the Shan State Army will celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Panglong Agreement, which enshrines the rights of ethnic groups in Burma FHe has quit politics, but Thaksin Shinawatra continues to dominate the headlines FChances are that Prasong Soonsiri will head the Constitution Drafting Committee

Shan State Army (SSA) leader Yawd Serk insists he is ready to hold peace talks with the Burmese government to break the country's political deadlock.

"The SSA is ready to enter talks through political means if the Burmese government gives us the opportunity," said Col Yawd Serk. He reiterated his readiness to negotiate with the junta as SSA troops and Shan people were preparing an event to mark the 60th anniversary of the Panglong Agreement on Feb 7.

The Panglong Agreement, signed in 1947 by national hero Aung San and ethnic leaders, enshrined the rights of different ethnic groups in Burma during Burma's independence struggle. General Aung San, father of Burma's democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was assassinated a few months after the agreement was signed. The Panglong Agreement became a legend of the fight for freedom by the Shan and ethnic groups who have been oppressed by the Burmese authorities for over 60 years.

Feb 7 is the day most Shan people remember as it marks the day they adopted their national flag and national anthem - Kherh Tai Kherh Raza. The atmosphere at all SSA bases along the Thai border to the west is expected to be more lively on that day. A religious ceremony will be held to make merit for Shan fighters who lost their lives during their struggle against Burmese troops.

The SSA has long been fighting against the Burmese government for greater autonomy of the Shan State. It refuses to give up the fight although several rebel groups laid down their arms.

Col Yawd Serk says he has more than 10,000 heavily-armed troops. He admitted the use of weapons would not be the only way to achieve the goal of freeing Shan people from slavery. "The SSA has tried to move towards a political fight. There will be light at the end of the tunnel as democratic countries are paying more attention to us. Now, some powerful countries feel sympathy for us and advise us not to give up our efforts," he said.

In the past, events to celebrate the Panglong Agreement were usually held at the SSA main base on Doi Tailaeng opposite Mae Hong Son's Pang Ma Pha district. But this year, the venue has been moved to a border area opposite Chiang Rai's Mae Fa Luang district.

"This venue is the safest place as it is not vulnerable to attacks by Burmese troops," said a leading member of the panel responsible for organising the event.

Non-governmental organisation activists, songs-for-life singers and other rights groups will flock to the border to attend the event, which will recall the legend of the Panglong Agreement, that has yet to materialise. At least 2,000 people are expected to join the event.

Security will not be a worrisome issue on that day as the Thai Border Committee will meet in Chiang Rai during the time of the celebrations.

More than enough already

"Enough is enough" has become the catch-phrase these past weeks, after deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra used the phrase in his interview with CNN in Singapore. He told CNN that he has decided to quit politics and live the life of a normal citizen.

But that was not the first time the man who was once the country's richest telecom mogul said he was quitting politics. After the Sept 19 coup d'etat which overthrew him from power, Mr Thaksin also pledged to take a long holiday break and did not plan to return to Thailand any time soon.

However, his next move did not support his statement. He appointed his family's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama to be his official spokesman.

Political observers see Mr Noppadon being ushered into the picture as the first step by Mr Thaksin to fight back. By establishing a mouthpiece to voice "his side of the story", Mr Thaksin has never run out of space in the media to stage political drama. He has worked hard to make his presence felt in news reports on television and the print media, even as he travels the globe back and forth between London and China with stopovers in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Singapore and Japan.

In between, he has met "old friends" in business and administrative circles in those countries. Then he gave his interview with CNN in Singapore after what he insisted was a get-together with Singapore Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar two weeks ago to "rekindle friendships".

What Mr Thaksin has fiercely defended as a private visit instantly touched off a diplomatic row. The government was understandably upset that an incumbent senior politician of Singapore had opened his arms to receive a man who has been unseated on grounds of massive corruption.

All Mr Thaksin's moves from abroad have stumped the Council for National Security, which has appeared to be lagging a step behind each time.

Critics are amazed that the government and the CNS did not react sooner to restrict Mr Thaksin's movements.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has revoked Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport and ordered all Thai diplomats abroad not to officially receive the deposed premier. It then emerged that Mr Thaksin was reportedly in contact with lobbyists boasting close ties with the Bush administration.

One of the lobbyists closest to Mr Thaksin's heart is said to be Preeda Phattanathabutr, a veteran politician who has reportedly secured an appointment to meet US President George W Bush in the next couple of weeks.

Mr Preeda was a cabinet member in the governments of the late Kukrit Pramoj and Prem Tinsulanonda. Known as an ace politician, he earned his credit for turning M R Kukrit's Social Action Party, which had only 18 votes in the lower house in 1975, to become the ruling party in a coalition government.

According to political insiders, the seasoned politician is a key man who has coached Mr Thaksin from the day he made his political debut.

The relationship between Mr Thaksin and Mr Preeda dates back to the days when Lert Shinawatra, Mr Thaksin's father, was a Chiang Mai MP. Mr Lert introduced Mr Preeda to his son, who was then a police officer, just graduated with a master's degree from the United States.

After that, Mr Thaksin served as Mr Preeda's aide for a while before quitting the police force and embarking on his business ventures.

Once Mr Thaksin established himself as the country's most successful business tycoon and decided to enter politics, Mr Preeda was the person who helped pave the way for Mr Thaksin.

What "the coach" is planning to recommend to his "pupil" who has been forced out of the country is that the Thai Rak Thai party should have a magnetic new leader. That person is likely to be a woman.

Whether or not Mr Thaksin will really quit politics, Mr Preeda's new role as an international lobbyist should give us a hint.

Prasong could head CDC

The Constitution Drafting Assembly's back-pedalling on its decision to bar non-CDA members from heading the Constitution Drafting Committee has opened the door to Prasong Soonsiri to assume chairmanship.

Squadron Leader Prasong has seen two key posts slip through his fingers despite close ties with the Council for National Security.

At first he lost to Meechai Ruchuphan in a race to head the National Legislative Assembly. That was largely due to Mr Meechai's vast experience as a lawmaker.

Sqn Ldr Prasong emerged as a potential deputy prime minister in charge of security affairs last month after Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont became a target of criticism. He has the kind of tongue to handle the old power clique.

Gen Surayud, however, gave a cool response to the lobbying, simply saying CNS chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin was supervising security effectively.

The CNS wanted Sqn Ldr Prasong to head the CDC, but things did not go in his favour when the CDA on Monday voted to rule out "outsiders" from chairing the CDC.

The CDC is made up of 25 members selected from among the 100 members of the CDA and another 10 selected by the CNS. Sqn Ldr Prasong is among the 10 people appointed by the CNS under its quota.

The former secretary-general of the National Security Council is recognised as a representative of the coup-makers. He has been acting as a mentor for the coup-makers following the Sept 19 putsch which ousted Thaksin Shinawatra.

However, the CDA had a change of heart just a day later and eased its restriction following a warning that the rule could be in violation of the constitution regarding human rights. Sqn Ldr Prasong is now back in the race and it would not be "too much" for the CNS to try to lobby and secure the job for him.

According to a source close to the CNS, the coup-makers' support for Sqn Ldr Prasong is not purely personal. The former foreign minister is qualified to head the panel and, more importantly, he has exceptional strength to cope with pressure and criticism - something the CDC will have to endure over the next six months.

The CNS is convinced he is the right man for the job. The council was proved right when it went ahead to lobby for Mr Meechai to preside over the NLA. Mr Meechai has so far showed that his experience and knowledge are really beneficial to the law-making body.

Sqn Ldr Prasong is set to face similar or even stronger criticism if he is finally appointed to chair the CDC. Sceptics tend to share the view that he is there to push the CNS' agenda and protect its interests.

Optimists believe he will also serve the public well as he strictly adheres to principles and integrity - as he is not the kind of person to be under anybody's thumb.

With him in the chairman's seat, they believe the CDC will brave criticism and pressure and complete a new constitution within the required 180 days.

General News
Bangkok Post
Thursday January 25, 2007